TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 1215 
described, but also the similarity in the games and calendars of Mexico and Japan 
pointed out by Dr. Tylor, as well as some ethnical peculiarities observed by Mr. 
Moseley as existing in the Admiralty Islands. 
4, Note on the Redmen about Roraima. By E. F. 1m Tourn. 
After referring to his already published views as to the inter-relationship, 
origins, and classification of the various tribes of Redmen now in Guiana, the 
author dwelt specially on the places to be assigned in this classification to the 
Partamonas, Macoosis, and Arekoonas, the three tribes through whose territory he 
passed on his way to Roraima. Next he briefly detailed the route followed by 
him on that journey, with special reference to the anthropological facts noted by 
the way. This was followed by remarks on various special anthropological points ; 
on the curious isolation of the one tribe from the other, and even in some cases of 
one part from another part of the same tribe; on certain survivals which he 
noticed of habits of the stone age, such as the persistent manufacture of stone im- 
plements and the retention, to some small extent, of the art of engraving pictures 
on rocks, Finally, a detailed account was given of certain games or dances which 
had been performed by the Macoosis for the amusement of the author, chiefly 
rudely dramatic representations of the doings of various animals and birds, together 
with a few representing impressive events which happen, but happen only rarely, 
in the lives of the players, 
do. A Game with a History. By J. W. Cromer, M.A. 
As children in their play generally imitate something they have observed to be 
done by their elders, and a game once introduced is handed down from generation 
to generation of children long after its original has ceased to exist, many innocent- 
looking children’s games conceal strange records of past ages and pagan times ; 
hence the importance of the study of this apparently frivolous subject is now fully 
recognised by anthropologists. 
The game of ‘Hop-Scotch’ is one of great antiquity, having been known 
in England for more than two centuries, and is played all over Europe under 
different names. Signor Pitré’s solar explanation of its origin appears improbable, 
for it would require the original number of divisions in the figure to have been 
twelve, whereas a considerable body of evidence can be adduced to show that it 
was seven. 
It would seem more probable that the game at one time represented the progress 
of the soul from earth to heaven through various intermediate states, the name 
given to the last court being most frequently Paradise or an equivalent, such as 
Crown or Glory, while Purgatory, Limbo Rest, &c., occur as names of the other 
courts, which corresponds with the eschatological ideas prevalent in the early days 
of Christianity. Some such game existed prior to Christianity, and the author 
considers that it has been derived from several ancient games; possibly the strange 
myths of the labyrinths may have had something to do with ‘ Hop-Scotch,’ and a 
variety of the game is played in England and France, upon a figure almost identical 
with that of a game described by Pliny as being played by the boys of his day. 
The author believes that the early Christians adopted the general idea of the 
ancient game, but they not only conyerted it into an allegory of heaven, with 
Christian beliefs and Christian names, they Christianised the figure also; aban- 
doning the heathen labyrinth they replaced it by the form of the Basilicon, 
the early Christian church, dividing it into seven parts, as they believed heaven to 
be divided, and placing Paradise, the inner sanctum of heaven, in the position of 
the altar, the inner sanctum of their earthly church. 
6. The Rule of the Road from an Anthropological poiné of view. 
By Sir Grorce Campsett, K.C.8.I. 
